It’s been a big week for the Belleville YMCA as they accepted two cheques in the last two days, totalling $8,500 to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign.
After recent donations from the Ottawa Senators Foundation, SENS CAMPERSHIPS and Pizza Nova Belleville, the YMCA has reached more than $147,000 of its $170,000 goal.
“Every dollar counts when it comes to raising money for the Strong Kids Campaign, this brings us that much closer to our goal,” said Amanda Boldrick, manager of membership sales and member programs for the Belleville YMCA.
The Strong Kids program helps assist children to be able to take part in camp or have access to membership at the YMCA.
Local business Pizza Nova presented a check worth $1,000 on Thursday morning in an effort to support the cause.
On the day of their grand opening, Pizza Nova donated $1 from every medium pizza sold to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign and hopes to raise more money in the future to support the cause.
“As we looked for charities to partner with, the Strong Kids Campaign and the YMCA came to light in terms of the notion of helping kids and just providing opportunities that children otherwise wouldn’t get. We felt that was a great opportunity for us to be apart of,” said Vince Ambra, director of marketing for Pizza Nova.
On Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators Foundation presented a check to YMCA Strong Kids Campaign worth $7,500.
Boldrick applied for the grant back in the spring, and said they were excited about being accepted as the recipient of the money.
“We also had a visit from Spartacat, or ‘Sparty’ the team mascot who met with over 100 campers who were here on Wednesday and he gave out gifts to every single kid as well as signed autographs on all the bags — the kids loved it,” said Boldrick.
One-hundred per cent of the money raised for the Strong Kids Campaign stays local, directly helping families in need.
“In the summer you tend to see fundraising go down a bit but we are still going strong. We’ve had so much support from the community and we wouldn’t be able to do this without that support, so we are extremely thankful,” said Boldrick.
Like Boldrick, Sam Brady, Strong Kids Committee Campaign chairperson is grateful for the donations and said “these generous donations will provide opportunities for children to attend camp, who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
“The summer camp experience is about fun, growth and accomplishment. Thanks to the SENS CAMPERSHIP Fund, and Pizza Nova, many more children will have this opportunity.”
The campaign hopes to reach its goal by the end of this year. Those who wish to donate can do so online at, http://ymcaofceo.ca/